International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research  ISSN: 2169-303X  Vol. 1 (6), pp. 063-074, November, 2012. © International Scholars  Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnobotanical studies of Strychnos henningsii in five (Gilg.) natural habitats in Kenya

Kuria M. W.*, Njenga P. K. and Ngumi V. W.

Department of Botany, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 20 August, 2012; Accepted 30 November, 2012

Abstract

Strychnos henningsii (Gilg.), Loganiaceae common names: Muteta (Kikuyu/Kamba), Muchimbi (Meru), is an indigenous and threatened plant species in Kenya. The wide-scale use of this species resulted to its over-exploitation by the traditional medicinal practioners, hotels and restaurants owner and the local people. It is used in the preparation of milk soups and fatty-meat among Kikuyu, Maasai and Kamba people. In African traditional medicine S. henningsii has been used for treatment of various diseases including rheumatism, syphilis, gastrointestinal disorders (purgative) and snakebites. In addition to over-exploitation, the species has a slow growth rate, seed production is erratic and seed germination is poor. The study revealed that S. henningsii is a threatened species in the areas of study. Most respondents obtained the plant with difficulties and among the key difficulties encountered were scarcity and long distance walking. There is therefore a danger of genetic erosion. Therefore this study endeavors to undertake the ethnobotanical survey on the traditional knowledge of this species from different regions of Kenya. This information will be useful in designing the strategies for conservation and sustainable use of this plant.

Key words: Conservation, ethnobotany, Strychnos henningsii[B1] , sustainable use, threatened.

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 1 (6), pp. 075-081, November, 2012.  © International Scholars  Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sub-acute toxicity evaluation of Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous and ethanol extracts in Swiss Albino rats

Josephine. N. Kasolo¹*, Gabriel. S. Bimenya¹, Lonzi Ojok² and Jasper W. Ogwal-Okeng¹

¹School of Biomedical Sciences, Makererere University College of Health Sciences. Kampala, Uganda.

²School of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 13 August, 2012; Accepted 09 November, 2012

Abstract

This study is set out to establish the sub-acute toxicity profile of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Moringa oleifera leaves in Swiss Albino rats. M. oleifera leaves contain important phytochemicals, such as gallic tannins, catechol tannins, steroids and triterponoids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, alkaloids and reducing sugars. It also contains proteins, vitamins, beta-carotene and amino acids. When they are taken in large quantities can cause adverse effects in rats. Many families worldwide consume the leaves over varying periods of time, without knowing the possibility of causing organ toxicity. This laboratory based study had M. oleifera leaves harvested during dry season, air dried and pulverized. Serial extraction was done using ether, ethanol and water as solvents. The control group received no extract, but 16.1, 8.05, 4.02, 2.01 g/kg of aqueous extract and 39.8, 19.9, 9.95, 4.97 g/kg of ethanol extracts; were given in a single daily oral dose to groups of 5 male and 5 female Swiss Albino rats for 30 days. On the last day, blood was taken for hematological and biochemical analysis. The liver, kidney, and heart tissues had histopathology examination done under light microscope. All aqueous extract groups had a significant increase (p<0.002) in the mean of total white blood cells, Cl^-, K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺, alkaline phosphatase  (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum bilirubin while histopathology analysis showed mild features of hepatitis, glumerulonephritis and myocarditis. The ethanol extract values were close to the control group. In conclusion, Moringa oleifera leaves aqueous extract given to rats orally in a single lethal dose of full LD₅₀ for 30 days is associated with mild organ toxicity. However the ethanol extract showed no features of organ toxicity.

Key words: Moringa oleifera, sub-acute toxicity, medicinal plant extracts, plant toxicity, Swiss Albino rats.

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 1 (6), pp. 082-092, November, 2012. © International Scholars  Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Biochemical and histological studies on the effects of Azadrichta indica seeds kernel extract on albino rats^ψ

Maha Babiker Dafalla¹, Emadeldin. H. Konozy¹* and Haseeba Ahmed Saad²

¹INRA - Unité de Génétique et Amélioration des Fruits et Légumes, 84143 Montfavet BP94, France.

²Department of Zoology, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 19 July, Accepted 18 September 2012

Abstract

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of (Azadrichta indica) neem seed kernel aqueous extract on albino Wistar rats. Two experiments were conducted using 34 rats which received different doses of neem aqueous extract. In acute toxicity experiment, rats were treated orally with 0 mg/kg (control), 3 mg/kg (low), 80 mg/kg (medium), and 130 mg/kg (high) body weight for 14 days. In subacute toxicity experiment, rats were treated with 0.5 mg/kg body weight for 6 weeks. Rats that received medium and higher doses showed significant (P<0.05) increase in activity of plasma glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) enzyme. Necrosis of liver and kidney tissues was observed, while mild histopathological changes were seen in the testes. However, urea and glucose level did not show significant change. Testosterone hormone showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in concentration at acute toxicity. In subacute toxicity no significant changes were observed except for significant (P<0.05) increase in testosterone hormone concentration and significant (P<0.05) increase of glucose concentration. Taken together, these results may indicate that neem seed kernel aqueous extract possesses dose-dependent hepatorenal toxicity and antifertility adverse effects.

Key words: Azadrichta indica, seeds kernel extract, toxicity, kidney, liver, testis.

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 1 (5), pp. 050-054, October, 2012. © International Scholars  Journals

Case Report

In-vivo antiplasmodial activity of crude n-hexane and ethanolic extracts of Moringa oleifera (LAM.) seeds on Plasmodium berghei

Olasehinde G. I.*, Ayanda O. I.¹, Ajayi A. A.² and Nwabueze A. P.³

Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Received 11 September, 2012; Accepted 19 October, 2012

Abstract

Studies were carried out to determine the antiplasmodial activity of crude n-hexane and ethanolic seed extracts of Moringa oleifera using cold extraction method. Twenty-four albino mice (Mus musculus) induced intraperitoneally with chloroquine sensitive Plasmodium berghei strain were divided into 4 groups and treated at three concentrations viz: 50, 100 and 200 ml/kg. Positive control was set up with chloroquine diphosphate while negative control was set up with olive oil. The mice models were treated for 72 h. For the ethanolic extract, a parasite inhibition rate of 61% was observed at concentration 50 ml/kg, 65% at concentration 100 ml/kg and 100% at concentration 200 ml/kg in day 3 after treatment. In n-hexane extract of the seeds of M. oleifera, plasmodial inhibition rate of 61% was observed at concentration 50 ml/kg, 70% at concentration 100 ml/kg and 97% at concentration 200 ml/kg after treatment for 72 h. A 100% inhibition rate was observed for mice treated with 25 mg/kg of standard chloroquine diphosphate after day 3 of treatment while parasitaemia increased from 48 on day 0 to 86 after day 3 for mice treated with olive oil. Overall, crude ethanolic extract of M. oleifera seed showed higher parasite inhibition activity than the crude n-hexane extract.

Key words: Antiplasmodial, parasitaemia, Moringa oleifera, n-hexane, ethanolic.

International Journal of Medicinal Plant Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 1 (5), pp. 058-062, October, 2012. © International Scholars  Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Ethnopharmacological studies on the medicinal plants used by tribal inhabitants of meenagadi region in wayanadu district of kerala, South India

Francis Xavier. T¹, Arun. V. R² and Freeda Rose. A²

¹Department of Botany, St. Joseph's College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India.

²Department of Microbiology, PGP College of Arts and Science, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 17 July, 2012; Accepted 23 October, 2012

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out to collect information on the use of medicinal plants in Meenagadi region of Wayanadu District, Kerala, India during December 2006 to February 2007. Information presented in this paper was gathered from the different tribal communities of the present study area. It is an integrated approach of questionnaires and interviews. A total of 55 ethnomedicinal plant species distributed in 34 families are documented in this study. The medicinal plants used by the tribal communities are listed with botanical name, family, local name, parts used and medicinal uses. The documented medicinal plants mostly used to cure skin diseases. The results of the present study showed that these tribal communities still depend on medicinal plants in Meenagadi region of Wayanadu District, Kerala.

International Journal of Medicinal Plants Research ISSN: 2169-303X Vol. 1 (5), pp. 055-057, October, 2012. © International Scholars  Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Traditional phytotherapy of some medicinal plants used by Tharu and Buxa tribes of Uttarakhand used in skin diseases

Garima Pandey, Krishan Kumar Verma*, Sanjay Kumar and Munna Singh

Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow - 226 007 (U.P.), India.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Received 31 July, 2012; Accepted 03 October, 2012

Abstract

This study aimed to identify and understand the utilization of medicinal plants for curing skin diseases used by Tharu and Buxa tribes of Uttarakhand. A field study was conducted in Tharu and Buksa rich Tarai belt (northern fringe of Indo-Gangetic Plains) in U. S. Nagar district of Uttarakhand (India) during different seasons. Tharu and Buksa tribes of the study area were found to use 37 plant species of 27 families for skin cure. Among the plant parts used, the highest number was observed for the use of leaves to cure skin disorders. The most common skin diseases treated using medicinal plants are cuts and wounds, maggots, dog/ insect bite, burns and sores, boils, blisters and abscesses, fungal infections, leucoderma, inflammation, pimples, itching, allergy and other skin disorders. A large numbers of plants are being used for other skin disorders followed by cuts and wounds and boils, blisters, abscesses. In the information obtained, there were many details about the appropriate indication of each plant. For example, some plants are indicated to increase other’s potency. There are also plants that are traditionally employed for specific symptoms or conditions that often accompany itching, allergy and other skin disorders. Thus researchers should observe ethnomedical information before deciding which kind of screening should be used in the search of drugs for skin diseases.

Key words: Ethnobotany, skin disorders, Tharu and Buksa tribes, traditional knowledge.